The Solanum genus contain a variable
number of annual and perennial plants ranging from forbs, vines, small
to large shrubs and small trees. Most are poisonous, but there are a number of edible
fruits, leaves, tubers, including the cultivated species:
- Tomato - Solanum lycopersicum
- Potato - Solanum tuberosum
- Eggplant - Solanum melongena
Among
this group of plants are the species often referred to as ‘bush tomato’
or ‘bush raisin’. In Central Australia and the Northern Territory, the
genus Solanum that include the bush tomato are usually found as small
shrubs anywhere from 30 cm to about 1 metre in height. With a covering
of hairs, the star-shaped flowers are mostly in clusters, often purple
and have the yellow anthers projecting from the centre of each flower.
The fruit look like small tomatoes of about 0.5 cm to 3 cm in diameter.
The fleshy fruit vary in colour and may be green, yellow, brown, red or
black.
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